We have a little quilt shop about 25 miles from me. I wanted to find someone to do small embroidery. She knew of someone.

While there, I asked about mats. I told her I had heard we could just soak them in vinegar and water, to help heal and that the mats loved water. She said, she had never heard of this, and that if you used too much water on the mat, it could take away the self healing.
She told me, to use a soft brush, tooth brush, mushroom brush, even a paint brush, then a damp rag, such as a dusting cloth, shamoo.
Has anyone soaked there mat? If so how did it turn out.
I know, mats like moisture, but, not a soaking

at a recent quilt show a rep for Olfa said the same thing about water. I may spray mine to clean it but doubt I'll go to the trouble of soaking it. have to keep it flat at the same time.

The Omnigrid rep at a recent show said the mats can't be flattened.

Never soaked mine but occasionally gets a good washing (sometimes it gets left on table and boys seem to use it as a giant placemat) BOYS are 14,18,22 & ?? hubby is watching. How about the smell I bought a new BLUE one ended up returning it could not get past the smell been -couple of weeks even hid in boys room and they knew it was in there --was told i was not the only one to return because of SMELL didn't get a new one they all had me turned off SMELL wise :(

This past summer I purchased a mat at Joanns with a 50% coupon. Score right??? Well, I stopped in to visit with Mom and didn't think about the mat in the car...Well, it was all curvy and wavy...Sooooo I laid it out on my deck and placed a large sheet of plywood on top along with a few other pieces and some bricks....Voila..a flat Mat!!!
I will NEVER make that mistake again LOL

I put mine in the washing machine...so far so good...

In the washer?!?!?!?! Your cutting mat!!!!!

I have soaked mine in a large tub more than once - for about 20-30 minutes each time. I used warm water and about a cup of white vinegar. I scrubbed it with a shower scrubber while it was soaking to get the "hairs" out.

I took it out and laid it flat on a towel on the floor and dried it.

I had no problems. It is still flat as can be. Soaking isn't a miracle, and it isn't a new board, but it did help a little bit. If nothing else, it was clean. :)

This article comes from the olfa site. Mats love moisture!!!!

http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...tting-mat.html

Scroll down to Care & Troubleshooting.
Went to quilt show this summer and Olfa rep gave me directions on how to soak your mat in tub.

DITTO?!?!?!?!